Is your House Camera-Ready?

According to the National Association of Realtors, 90% of homebuyers rely on the Internet as their main search tool. The photos they view online determine whether or not they visit the house. Below are some tips to make your house more appealing, both on screen and in person, accompanied by original photographs taken of professionally-staged rooms in the 2013 BIA Parade of Homes:

Declutter, Depersonalize. These points cannot be overemphasized. Clutter makes rooms look smaller than they are, while personal memorabilia such as family photos make it hard for other people to envision your home as their own. Clean and tidy rooms, and remove extra furniture so people focus on the room, not your things. Put away little trinkets, and leave only 1-3 items on any given surface (such as a fireplace mantel).

Paint and Decorate it. Avoid wall colors that are too bland or too bold. Owner of Columbus Home Staging Suzanne Byrd states that sellers should aim for something "between a crayon box and a tan box." Go ahead and use a variety of color--potential buyers may remember colorful rooms and houses more easily. As far as art on the walls, look for rich art that is modern and tasteful that does not look cluttered.

Size it. Make sure your furniture is appropriately sized for the space you have. Oversized furniture may lead buyers to believe your home is too small. Furniture that is too small may suggest to buyers that it would be difficult to furnish your home.

Clean and Fix it up. Do a deep cleaning of your home--clean even your cupboards and the grout between tiles. Bathrooms and kitchens need extra attention to detail. Go through your home and inventory what needs to be done. Fix tilted cabinets, and replace missing light bulbs and cabinet pulls. You want buyers to see that you cared for the home.

Curb Appeal. Cut your grass and trim your hedges and bushes: the first impression someone has of your home is based how it looks outside. Put away toys and organize the garage so that it looks spacious. Apply fresh mulch to your landscaping. Make sure your front door creates a welcoming entrance. Please reference my previous blog post on how to spruce up your front porch for under $100.

Seek Additional Help. As a real estate agent, I help homeowners prepare their homes for photographs and showings at no additional cost to you. Contact me for more information. Professional stagers are also available, but can be expensive. You can expect to pay $150-$250 for an initial consultation, during which they will walk through your house and give your their advice on window treatments, furniture, floor coverings, etc. A stager can then be hired to fix the problems, or you can tackle them yourself.

Tips to Enhance Curb Appeal

The first impression someone has of a house is based on its curb appeal. Follow the tips below to ensure that your yard is looking its best.

1) Create a path to your front door. This will eliminate confusing about which entrance to use. This also means guests won't have to walk across your driveway. Walkways help anchor a house to its landscaping. For an extra touch, consider lining the walkway with bushes or planting beds.

2) Enhance landscaping. Mix a variety of different colored and textured evergreens and and flowering shrubs. Laying plants that are grouped by height is also very visually appealing. Don't forget that your plants don't have to hug your house--you've got a whole front yard to work with. If you have a new home, landscaping is especially important, as builder-isssued landscape is often scare or nonexistent. Trimming shrubs and plants is also a good idea. Remove dead plants and break up clusters of perennials. Overgrown plants can block light from a home and may give the impression that the owner does not take pride in his/her home.

3) Create a focal point. Water features, benches, and patterned hardscapes are great for initially grabbing someone's eye.

4) Highlight the main entrance. Use planters, urns, or a symmetrical element by the door (such as stone pillars) to make your home more inviting.  Lighting features also help.

5) Upgrade walkways and driveways. Having a quality hardscape is a great way to enhance curb appear--especially because driveways take up so much space. Dress up your driveway by forgoing traditional concrete and instead using brick or stamped concrete.

6) Add a hedge or fence. This helps distinguish your yard and protects from unfavorable views,  your neighbor's unkept lawn.